Time Management.

This next month of my life is going to be absolutely crazy. In my capstone course for the Journalism school, we are working on a campaign to help minimize toxic drinking on the KU campus. What does this entail? Well, my life is going to be consumed by meeting with my awesome team for hours and hours practically every day. Additionally, there is still research to be done. Myself, 3 other students, and our Professor are heading to Colorado State on Thursday morning. We will be interviewing administrators at CSU to determine how they have reduced their drinking levels. We will then leave Friday afternoon to return to Kansas. Quick trip. Members from my class will also travel to UNL, UVA, and Mizzou. This course proves to the world what we have learned in our 4 years at KU, and our ability to produce a worthy campaign. There was a news article about our class in the Lawrence-Journal World. You can find the article here. 

In addition to the nearly 40-hour a week campaigns course, I am additionally enrolled in 14 more hours. Of course at the end of the semester, comes the due dates for EVERYTHING. This next month I will have the opportunity to prove to myself my abilities of time management. 

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to better my skills? Right now, I make to-do lists. Rank them in importance. And complete the tasks as they come. (I also include tasks I've already completed, just so I can cross them off my list). <--- That might be cheating, but it makes me feel like I've accomplished something. 

Image from: http://th00.deviantart.net/fs27/300W/i/2008/162/c/0/Red_Solo_Cup_by_dmg025.jpg

March Madness

My beloved Jayhawks lost tonight in the 2nd round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. They were the overall number 1 seed. It was a very disappointing loss. I was hoping for a repeat of my sophomore year, when my team brought the national championship title back to Lawrence. 

As a senior I would have loved running to Mass St. to celebrate with 40,000 people again. But, I  guess that is why the call it March Madness. There are always going to be major upsets.

Pictures from tonight's game. 

Read This:

...ARE WE STUCK IN HIGH SCHOOL? 

After reading Seth's Blog: On Self Determination, I wasn't sure which part I was playing. Through out college, I took the courses that were required. Did I grow as much as I wanted to in my 4 years at the University? I'm not sure.  Are there classes that I missed out on? Of course. Are there courses I loved way more than others? Of course. (I absolutely loved my African and African-American studies course about the civil rights movement from the emancipation of slavery until today). Do I regret not expanding my wings a little more? Yes. Should I have taken advantage of the on-campus speakers and guest lecturers? Of course. Can I change these the things I didn't do? NO! And that is the most important thing to realize. I did what I did, and I loved it! There are always going to be some things you wish you would have done differently; however,  you can't change the past. You have to look forward to continue to grow. 

Lost time is never found again. - Benjamin Franklin

I may be behind but...

this website is amazing. Check out LookBook.nu. It is a fashion website. It has new trends, hot looks, and people rave about it. This website is fashion forward, unique, and a comprehensive view of what fashion is. People from all over the world write in to share their ideas, pictures, and fashion concepts. If you are feeling fashionable, take a picture of yourself, upload it to the site, and get instant feedback. Amazing.

COLLECTIVE FASHION CONSCIOUSNESS.               

Bucket List + then some.

After watching "The Bucket List," and "The Buried Life," (a show on MTV that follows four young men on their journey to complete their list and help others along the way), I have come to the conclusion that I want to create my own list of things to do before I die. As a child I was very privileged growing up. This allowed me to experience many things that some people can only dream of. I have had the opportunity to travel to some of the greatest places in the world, such as: Monaco, Spain, Italy, Turkey and so on. However, for me, there are areas that still need exploration.

My list...

1. Live in California
2. Travel to Africa to help in an orphanage, or with severely malnourished children
3. Have children of my own (which would also entail finding a husband -- or someone to be a sperm donor -- but the details aren't important).
4. Go skydiving (preferably by the ocean. I have watched my good friend's video many times, and I am super jealous).
5. Travel to NYC
6. Buy a house
7. Be able to financially support myself
8. Travel to South America
9. Be an entrepreneur
10. Cook a four course meal (and have it be edible).
11. Have a pet dog
12. Travel to London and Paris
13. Invent something (anything is possible...)
14. Go to Australia to play with Koala Bears, and Kangaroos
15. Learn to scuba dive
16. ...

I just created this list, but I will accomplish all of these things. Whether it is a few days from now, or a few years from now, I will cross each and every one off! Life is a journey, and I hope to have one crazy, wild, fun, and satisfying journey.

Chat Roulette? Yes, Please.

The video below accurately depicts my experiences on ChatRoulette.com. If you haven't yet tried this website, which has been buzzing lately, I recommend it. Be prepared to experience many perverts, illegal drugs, and getting 'nexted' more often than not. However, you will find a unique individual to talk to on occasion. Also, I recommend visiting the website with a few other friends. It adds to the entertainment, and makes it slightly less awkward. If you live in Kansas, like I currently do, be prepared for negative reactions. Most people have to ask multiple times where, and then are baffled that people actually live here!


chat roulette from Casey Neistat on Vimeo.

And so it begins...

Well, not really beginning, more or less continuing. I am on a MEGA search for a job or post-grad internship. I have a list of about 20 different agencies, or small businesses I am going to be applying to over the weekend. For me, that means I have to write 20 different cover letters. If only I was good at selling myself. (And not in that sense, you dirty minds). I wish I were a genius when it came to putting together words and phrases. I envy my roommate. Without thinking, she can write the most inspirational/moving pieces.  I can barely jot down my strengths without hesitation. After re-reading my cover letters hundreds of times, I am finally ready to send them. However, nerves always get the best of me. What if this isn’t what they want? What if I’m not qualified enough? Does this really portray who I am?

Slowly my attitude is changing. Sooner, rather that later, it is going to be filled to the brim with confidence. I am the best. They would be lucky to have me. I have the skills. I am qualified enough. I am willing to work harder than the person next to me, and I always ready to learn new skills. I will get a job!

(http://www.christinaquick.com/blog/wp-content/uploads//2009/04/cubicle-dwellers.jpg)

As an 18 year-old freshman, I didn’t want to listen to professors when they stressed the importance of work experience, and actually applying what you learned in class to the real world. My summers consisted of working at Eddie Bauer, going to Spain (which I would NEVER change -- except I would add some more time abroad), and taking summer school. Not internships. I did my homework, and got by. Now, I wish I had listened to EVERY word anyone had EVER told me. I would have set my self up for a better success rate. (Oh well, I am determined to be successful, and I will accomplish it!)

Seriously (and I mean seriously) take advantage of every opportunity! It could be going to career fairs, the etiquette dinner, going into teachers offices (get to know them so you can use them as a recommendation), joining organizations on campus, joining community organizations, or even faux interviews at the career center. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE OPPROTUNITIES! Universities provide them to be used, so use them!!!